Black Crappie Fishing on Lake Griffin, Florida

By Terry Tomalin

If you are looking for a taste of Old Florida head out to Lake Griffin State Park where a canal connects to the eighth largest lake in Florida a hot spot for summer panfishing. You will catch your share of largemouth bass bluegill speckled perch catfish. You can also enjoy crappie fishing in Florida here.

This 16 000-acre fishing management area located Lake County the heart of Central Florida has always been known for its big crappie. That is why anglers and fish camp owners lobbied the State of Florida to establish a special 10-inch size limit for this species hoping it would help promote larger catches of bigger fish. The new regulations for Florida crappie fishing went into effect on July 1. But the daily bag limit is still 25 fish per day and that is more than enough for a good old-fashioned fish fry.

If you are looking to go crappie fishing in Florida try putting in at the state park. The lake is located about a mile from the park’s boat ramp via a canal. If you do not have your own boat canoe and kayak rentals are available.

Lake Griffin State Park is located 2 miles north of Leesburg and 30 miles south of Ocala in Fruitland Park just South of CR-466A. The park is also within an hour of central Florida's major attractions.